Iraq: Civilian Casualties

Lord Garden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are latest figures on Iraqi casualties provided by the Iraq Ministry of Health.

Lord Triesman: We believe that the Iraqi authorities remain in the best position to record the civilian casualties in their country. The Iraqi Ministry of Health has released figures covering the period from 5 April 2004, when collation of statistics began, to 1 March 2005. These figures show that 6,265 Iraqis were killed and 22,564 injured during that period. The Iraqi Ministry of Health points out that this figure includes all Iraqis, including civilians, Iraqi security forces and insurgents, killed as a result of violence.

Middle East: British Casualties

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many British citizens have been killed in military, terrorist or similar incidents in the countries of the Middle East since 1995.

Lord Triesman: There have been a number of British nationals killed in military and terrorist-related incidents in the Middle East since 1995. These include, of the 88 deaths of British personnel serving in the current operation in Iraq, 50 who were killed in action. We cannot, however, provide figures for those killed in terrorist-related incidents as our records do not list the deaths of British nationals by this category. To provide such figures over the last decade would incur disproportionate costs.

EU: UK Presidency

Viscount Waverley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, given the forthcoming United Kingdom presidency of the European Union, the Portuguese Government have submitted proposals to the United Kingdom; and, if so, what those proposals are.

Lord Triesman: There are no current proposals from the Portuguese Government for the United Kingdom to take forward during its presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2005.

Indigenous Peoples

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Nations' continuing role in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous people is part of customary international law; and whether they will ask the Secretary-General to discuss with the government of Botswana the proposed removal of references to the Bushmen from their constitution.

Lord Triesman: By Article 55 of its charter, the United Nations has a mandate to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. This includes people belonging to indigenous groups.
	The British High Commission in Botswana regularly discusses the Basarwa issue with the government and other interested parties. High Commission staff have visited the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) on three occasions over the past two years. My honourable friend the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Chris Mullin) also discussed the issue with interested parties, including President Mogae, when they met in Abuja in December 2003. We believe that the Botswana Government's removal of all references to ethnicity in the constitution has been handled through parliamentary procedures in line with constitutional proprieties and as such does not need to be taken forward by the Secretary-General.

Pakistan: Human Rights

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ask the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the circumstances in which a peaceful demonstration led by the chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Ms Asma Jehangir, in Lahore, Pakistan on 14 May was attacked by the police, and 40 persons including Ms Jehangir, and Ms Hina Jilani, HRCP Secretary General, were taken into custody.

Lord Triesman: The UK condemns all abuses of human rights and was concerned to see reports of human rights activists being targeted in Lahore on 14 May. We understand that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is aware of the incident. However, we do not yet know whether this will result in any follow up investigation.

EU: Northern Dimension

Lord Bowness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When, during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union, they anticipate that the first ministerial meeting under the Second Action Plan of the Northern Dimension will be held.

Lord Triesman: No decision has yet been taken on the timing of the first ministerial meeting under the Second Action Plan of the Northern Dimension.

EU: Northern Dimension

Lord Bowness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the extension of the Northern Dimension Action Plan beyond 2006.

Lord Triesman: The European Union has not yet decided how, and in what form, the Northern Dimension should be extended when the current action plan expires in 2006. Extension of the action plan is one of the options for consideration. The UK supports the Northern Dimension. During our presidency of the EU we will work with partners to agree on a way forward that ensures the goals of the Northern Dimension are met in an effective and efficient way.

EU: Northern Dimension

Lord Bowness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What communications have been received from the European Commission, or have been tabled at formal or informal meetings of Ministers or officials, regarding the future of the Northern Dimension after the expiry of the current action plan in 2006.

Lord Triesman: Since March 2005 the European Commission has circulated two drafts of its communication, Northern Dimension Options Beyond 2006. EU partners have also shared their views on the future of the Northern Dimension at a number of EU and bilateral meetings.

EU: Information Campaign

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have asked the European Commission to suspend those aspects of its information campaign which promote conferences aimed at detailing grants available within the European Union, as reported in the Times on 5 May; and, if so, why.

Lord Triesman: No, the Government have not made such a request.

EU: Human Rights

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the human rights subcommittees with Mediterranean partner countries which have functioning association agreements will meet in 2005; and what will be the agendas for the meetings.

Lord Triesman: The EU has yet to fix dates for human rights sub-committee meetings with Morocco, Jordan and Tunisia. The EU is negotiating the establishment of sub-committees, which would discuss the human rights commitments set out in the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans, with other Mediterranean partner countries whose association agreements are in force. The agendas for such subcommittees will be negotiated and agreed by all EU member states. As presidency, the UK will also chair the EuroMed 10th anniversary event, scheduled to take place in Barcelona in November. We want EuroMed partners to agree at the tenth anniversary event a limited number of medium-term targets in key areas, including good governance.

Iraq: Minority Groups

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they will make to ensure that the new constitution of Iraq provides specific references to the protection of minority groups such as the Sabian Mandaeans and Iraqi Christians.

Lord Triesman: Like all Iraqis, the Sabian Mandaeans and Christians now benefit from the human rights principles enshrined in the transitional administrative law (TAL), which remains in effect until the adoption of the permanent constitution later this year. The TAL safeguards the fundamental rights of all Iraqis: freedom of religion, freedom of expression and a free and independent judiciary.
	Iraq's future constitution is a matter for the Iraqis to debate and decide in the Transitional National Assembly (TNA), elected on 30 January 2005. We will urge the Iraqis to ensure that the fundamental rights of all its citizens are protected, regardless of their sect or ethnicity.

Iraq: Minority Groups

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will assess human rights violations experienced in Iraq by minority groups such as the Sabian Mandaeans and Iraqi Christians.

Lord Triesman: We are concerned by reports that Christians are suffering discrimination in parts of Iraq. We have joined Christian and Muslim leaders in rigorously condemning attacks on Christian churches. This is clearly the work of those seeking to divide Iraq's diverse communities and undermine the political process. We do not believe that such acts are supported by the wider Iraqi population.
	We have also received reports of violent attacks against Iraqi Christians. Often the victims were merchants who had their shops burnt down because they sold alcohol. Such attacks are thought in the main to be the work of Islamic extremists, aiming to enforce their vision of a strict Islamic code, including an outright ban on alcohol. There is, however, evidence that some of these attacks are criminally motivated, given the widespread perception that Christians are wealthy.
	The overwhelming majority of Mandaeans live in Basra. We are not aware of any specific human rights concerns relating to the community there. Our officials in Iraq meet regularly with leaders of the minority groups and raise our concerns with the Iraqi authorities. We have asked our embassy in Baghdad and offices in Kirkuk and Basra to continue to monitor the situation closely.

Uzbekistan

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider withdrawing the British Ambassador from Uzbekistan immediately.

Lord Triesman: This is not an option we are considering. Our ambassador in Tashkent, David Moran, is playing a key role in registering our deep concern at reports of indiscriminate killings by government forces in central Andijan on 13 May, which left a still unknown number dead. He is also playing a key role in maintaining the pressure for an independent international enquiry to find out why the killings happened and who was responsible. Persistent lobbying by our ambassador for greater access for the international community was instrumental in prompting the authorities to organise a visit to the region on 18 May by diplomats, members of international organisations and the world's media. Although highly orchestrated by the Uzbek authorities, this visit was an important first step towards securing the necessary transparency into the events of 13 and 14 May in Andijan.
	It is particularly important that we remain engaged with the Uzbek authorities at this time, in order to establish exactly what took place in Andijan, and to ensure that the root causes of discontent are addressed through urgent economic and political reform, and in line with international standards of human rights and good governance. Our ambassador in Tashkent has a central role in this process.

Kazakhstan

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the government of Kazakhstan about the need for greater democracy.

Lord Triesman: We continually raise, both bilaterally and with our EU partners, the importance of respect for human rights and good governance in Kazakhstan.
	Last week we supported an EU demarche to the Kazakhs at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on the various legislative changes being planned in Kazakhstan, which OSCE/Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights have already indicated might have a very negative impact on the development of civil society. Human rights issues will also figure on the agenda of the EU-Kazakh Co-operation Council which will take place under the UK's presidency in July. Our Ambassador last raised our human rights concerns with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential Administration and the Kazakh Parliament on 11 May 2005.
	Following the parliamentary elections in September and October 2004, the EU released a statement reflecting the disappointment of the OSCE election observers that the elections had failed to meet international standards. Our ambassador also raised the shortcomings of the electoral process with the Foreign Minister in October 2004. More recently, in February 2005, along with our EU partners, we raised human rights issues at an EU-Kazakhstan sub-committee meeting. In February too, we supported an EU statement in Vienna expressing concern at the new law on extremism and the recent banning of an opposition party.
	Wherever possible we also look to work with the Kazakh authorities to improve the human rights situation and have funded projects aimed at improving the conditions in prisons, preventing torture in places of detention and encouraging the abolition of the death penalty. We have an ongoing dialogue with the government of Kazakhstan on transparency issues and are working closely with NGOs on this too.
	We will continue to stress the importance of human rights and good governance with the Kazakh authorities and to provide suitable assistance to this end.

Economic Partnership Agreements

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to promote the planned new economic partnership agreements between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to ensure fair trade.

Lord Triesman: As set out in the White Paper Making Globalisation a Force for Good, economic partnership agreements must be broad based, focusing not just on trade but also on political co-operation, technical assistance and trade-related capacity building, and be truly development-focused. The European Commission has made it clear that the EU has no offensive market access interests in negotiating economic partnership agreements. Ministers and officials are in regular contact with the Commission and we are commissioning research into aspects of the negotiations to help ensure that the agreements are as positive as possible to development as well as trade.

Arms Exports

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied with the progress being made in the concept of an European Union-wide framework of export licences for sale to third world countries of conventional weapons.

Lord Triesman: Since its adoption during the UK presidency of the European Union in 1998, the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports has provided the framework for the case-by-case control of arms exports from EU countries to the rest of the world. A revised version of the code is currently under discussion, which would include new provisions covering licensed production overseas, brokering and intangible technology transfers. The revised code would also introduce a new obligation on member states to refuse exports licences if they consider that there is a clear risk that the items covered by the licence would be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law. This amendment was suggested by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Government are committed to enhance further the transparency of application of the code of conduct, and we will be pursuing this objective during our forthcoming presidency of the EU.

Gibraltar

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will discuss relations between the United Kingdom and Spain on matters affecting Gibraltar; and what principal agenda items they intend to raise.

Lord Triesman: Following the visit of my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary to Madrid last October, the UK, Spanish and Gibraltar Governments established a new forum for dialogue on Gibraltar, in which each is an equal participant. The agenda covers practical issues of mutual concern such as the shortage of telephone connections in Gibraltar and delays at the border. The forum has also discussed the issue of pensions for Spanish ex-workers in Gibraltar, and scope for an agreement on expanded use of Gibraltar airport. Meetings are held regularly at official level, and at ministerial level at least every 12 months.

NATO: Future Role

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether NATO has a future role beyond the present activities in Afghanistan.

Lord Triesman: NATO will remain the cornerstone of UK and transatlantic defence and the primary forum for transatlantic security issues, but its role in international security will continue to evolve. NATO has an important part to play in supporting peace and stability in the Balkans and the Caucasus but also outside the "traditional" Euro/Atlantic area: in Afghanistan, where NATO forces are supporting the political process and national reconstruction; in Iraq through its training mission for Iraqi security forces; in the rest of the Middle East through the Istanbul co-operation initiative and the Mediterranean dialogue; and in central Asia. NATO's involvement in Africa, through its offer to support the African Union's mission in Darfur, is a further indication of NATO's growing role. Enhanced NATO capabilities, such as the NATO Response Force, will help to ensure that NATO is ready to take on new challenges.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they intend to take in the Quartet framework to prevent the final outcome of negotiations between Israel and Palestine from offering only a partial state, with less than full sovereignty for Palestine.

Lord Triesman: As the Quartet has consistently made clear, final status issues can be resolved only through negotiations and agreement between the parties. We share the Quartet's goal of a two-state solution with Israel secure within her borders and Palestine established as a viable, contiguous state. We shall continue to work with the parties, Quartet partners and others in the international community to this end.

European Neighbourhood Policy

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which of the action plans, under the European Neighbourhood Policy, have so far been adopted with relevant neighbour states; when they expect the plan for Moldova to come into effect; and whether the plans for Israel and the Palestinian Authority will allow for rewarding progress and penalising setbacks in relation to the road map and the peace process generally.

Lord Triesman: European Neighbourhood Policy action plans have been adopted so far with Ukraine, Moldova, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The action plan for Moldova came into effect on 22 February 2005. The European Neighbourhood Policy sets ambitious objectives for the EU's relations with third countries, based on commitments to shared common values and effective implementation of jointly agreed commitments, as outlined in the action plans. The EU has consistently made it clear that the pace of progress in the EU-third country relationship will depend on the degree of commitment to common values, as well as the extent of implementation of jointly agreed priorities. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed to make further efforts to secure progress on the road map, and a comprehensive settlement of the Israel/Palestinian conflict, as part of their political dialogue with the EU as outlined in their European Neighbourhood Policy action plans.

Lord Birt

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Lord Birt, the Prime Minister's strategy adviser, has accepted accommodation at any overseas British residence, embassy or commission since his appointment; if so, for each case, what was the reason for the stay; and what was its duration.

Lord Triesman: No.

Israel and Palestine: Land Requisition Orders

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether six villages around Bethlehem are the subject of a new military annexation order by the government of Israel; and whether these villages are to be linked along the security wall to the expansion of the Ma'ale Adumim settlement; and what representations they have made.

Lord Triesman: According to UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs), a number of land requisition orders have been issued for an area between the Palestinian village of Walaja and the Israeli settlement of Gilo, near Bethlehem, for the construction of the barrier.
	We are extremely concerned at the route for the barrier approved by the Israeli Cabinet on 20 February. The approved route takes in the two Israeli settlements of Ma'ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, and Gush Etzion to the west of Bethlehem. These settlements are illegal under international law. The barrier's route also threatens to divide the West Bank in two, which in turn undermines the prospects for a two-state solution.
	We deplore the destruction of Palestinian homes and the confiscation of land associated with the barrier's construction. We have made our concerns extremely clear to the Israeli Government and will continue to do so.

European External Action Service

Lord Bowness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What communications have been (a) received from the European Commission or the Council Secretariat or (b) tabled at formal or informal meetings of Ministers or officials regarding the proposed external action service which it is reported will be considered at the June Council.

Lord Triesman: In the context of the preparatory discussions of the proposed European External Action Service, the Government received one "issues paper", in March, presented jointly by High Representative Solana and Commission President Barroso. This paper was discussed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives in Brussels although no formal conclusions were drawn. The Government have also received five technical information notes from the Council Secretariat covering legal status, personnel issues, budget, administration of the service and management of the overseas delegations. These technical notes were discussed at official level, again without formal conclusion. The Commission and Council Secretariat will provide the June European Council with a joint progress report on the official level discussion so far but we do not expect there to be any substantive discussion of this issue by Foreign Ministers or heads of state and government. We shall place the joint progress report and the March "issues paper" in the Library of the House once we have received the final texts.
	There have been no formal or informal meetings of Ministers which have discussed this issue.

European Parliament: Cost of Multiple Sites

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each of the past three years, what is the estimate of the annual cost to the European Union budget of moving the European Parliament to Strasbourg.

Lord Triesman: The European Parliament (EP) is located on three sites: Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg. The housing of the EP on three sites dates from well before the UK joined the EU with Strasbourg chosen as the seat of the EP back in 1958 as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation.
	There has been no study of which we are aware of the financial costs and benefits of having multiple sites for the EP rather than a single site.

North Korea

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to ensure that (a) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has access to North Koreans in China so that the UNHCR can assess their circumstances and ensure that no individuals are deported if this would put them at risk of persecution or other serious harm; and (b) the organisation can work for a permanent solution to the situation of undocumented North Korean migrants in China.

Lord Triesman: We have concerns about the situation of North Korean asylum seekers in China. We have raised the matter on a number of occasions with the Chinese Government, most recently during the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing on 22 November 2004. We continue to urge China to observe its obligations under the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees and allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) access to the China/North Korea border region.

North Korea

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to ensure that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on North Korea is invited to visit North Korea this year so that he can monitor the human rights situation, including conditions in the detention centres and labour camps.

Lord Triesman: We have repeatedly requested the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (DPRK) authorities to allow the UN Special Rapporteur to visit the DPRK in order to continue the dialogue on human rights issues, but the North Koreans have not yet agreed to such a visit. We and international partners also continue to make requests to the DPRK Government to visit prisons, gain access to the judicial system and to allow independent monitors access to the country to verify or disprove reports of human rights abuses there. We remain firmly determined to express our concerns to the DPRK authorities regularly and at a high level, and to press them for greater co-operation on human rights and other issues of concern.

North Korea

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an estimate of the number of North Koreans who have been forcibly returned from China and other neighbouring countries to North Korea in the past 10 years.

Lord Triesman: We have not made an estimate but are aware of the problem and remain concerned by reports of forced repatriation.

Niger

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made in relation to the arrest on 28 April and subsequent imprisonment in Niger of two human rights activists from the organisation Timidria.

Lord Triesman: We are aware of the arrest and imprisonment of Ilguilas Weila and Alassane Biga, activists from the Timidria human rights organisation in Niger. We note that they have been charged with attempting falsely to elicit money from foreign donors.
	We continue to monitor developments in this case closely and are discussing the best way forward with EU and other partners, including NGOs.

Chechen Republic

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, during his forthcoming meeting with President Putin, the Prime Minister will discuss ways in which the United Kingdom and the European Union can assist in upholding human rights, resolving conflict and preventing the provocation of global terrorism in the Chechen Republic.

Lord Triesman: The Prime Minister and President Putin will discuss a wide range of issues, including the North Caucasus.

Chechen Republic

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they are making to mobilise humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for the people of the Chechen Republic; and whether they will ensure that such assistance is not misused by illegitimate or flawed political and administrative structures and institutions.

Lord Triesman: The UK contributes around £3 million annually to humanitarian needs in Chechnya, and the wider North Caucasus region, primarily channelled through UN agencies, including UNICEF, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). We also contribute around £2 million annually to the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO). In addition, we have recently launched a £1 million joint UK/Russian North Caucasus education initiative, which will provide education for children and young people across the region, and we are looking to fund further projects focusing on socio-economic development.
	Although concerns about security limit our ability to monitor projects in the North Caucasus, the Government take great care to minimise the risk of funds being diverted from their original purpose. We do this by channelling funds through multilateral agencies that have a presence on the ground and, in the case of bilateral projects, ensuring the fullest possible control over allocation and use of assistance that the circumstances will allow.

Chechen Republic

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether commitment to human rights remains pivotal to their political, economic and social policies towards (a) resolving the Chechen conflict; and (b) rehabilitation and reconstruction in the Chechen Republic.

Lord Triesman: Yes. The UK Government are deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Chechnya, which remains arguably the most serious in the broader European continent. We most recently raised our concerns with the Russians at the Russia-UK human rights dialogue in Moscow on 23 May.
	While acknowledging the brutality of terrorism in Chechnya, we expect Russia to uphold the standards that it agreed to when it became a member of the Council of Europe. This expectation is central to all of our engagement in the region.

Chechen Republic

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What priority they will give during their forthcoming presidency of the European Union to co-ordinated action by member states to help to resolve the political, humanitarian, human rights and global security issues arising from the conflict in the Chechen Republic.

Lord Triesman: Although the UK's priorities for the EU presidency are still being drawn up, it is clear that there is interest in the EU in closer engagement with Russia on the North Caucasus. We are planning to convene a donor meeting early in our presidency to discuss how best to take forward co-ordinated action that will bring improvements to the situation on the ground in Chechnya, and the wider North Caucasus region.
	We are also planning to discuss the human rights situation in Chechnya with the Russians during the next round of the EU-Russia consultations on human rights, which is scheduled to take place during our presidency.

Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the concerns expressed by UNICEF regarding the effectiveness of the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children's (CEAWC) work in Sudan in releasing those people abducted during the course of the civil war; and whether CEAWC's operations were suspended in March 2005 despite some 10,000 people waiting to be released and reunited with their families.

Lord Triesman: The Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children (CEAWC) has continued to operate, facilitating three returns of groups, the most recent taking place in May 2005. Operations are currently on hold over the rainy season, although financing for further returns is lacking at present. Following interviews with returnees in May, there are concerns over how voluntary all the returns have been, and over the return process itself. Further work needs to be done to follow up these concerns, and to ensure that all returns are genuinely voluntary before CEAWC restarts work after the rainy season. We will be pursuing this with UNICEF.

Sudan: Abduction and Slavery Prohibition

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support calls for the prohibition of abduction and slavery to be addressed directly in the new constitution of Sudan so that prosecutions can be secured against those responsible for abductions and forced labour in the last 14 years, which have not hitherto been pursued.

Lord Triesman: We oppose slavery and would support its prohibition in the new interim constitution for Sudan. But the content of the constitution is for the Sudanese to decide. The interim constitution is to be based on the 1998 constitution and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, both of which make explicit reference to the prohibition of slavery.
	We have consistently made clear to the Government of Sudan that those responsible for human rights violations must be brought to justice. The UK will play a leading role supporting reform of the Sudanese justice sector to ensure it complies with international human rights standards. We have committed £7.2 million for a programme of judicial sector reform.

People Trafficking

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Kingdom is the only member of the European Union which has not signed up to the European Union Council directive on the residence permit issued to third country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration; and whether they are considering signing up to this directive.

Lord Triesman: The UK, Ireland and Denmark do not currently participate in the European Union Council directive on the residence permit issued to third country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration. However, the United Kingdom's position on this directive will be kept under review. The UK considers the situation of victims of trafficking on a case-by-case basis and we continue to work with European partners on practical measures to combat trafficking.

Piracy

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to assist the control and reduction of piracy, both within Asian international waters and in the territorial waters of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Lord Triesman: The UK Government recognise the continuing threat posed by piracy attacks across the world today. The Indonesian and Malaysian archipelagos, centring in particular on the Straits of Malacca, are acknowledged as piracy hotspots.
	With this in mind, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Transport (DfT) have a co-ordinated counter-piracy strategy and action plan designed to protect seafarers and ships from piracy attack. This includes a proactive outreach programme to assist those countries in which piracy is prevalent.
	As a first step the Government, using the Foreign and Commonwealth Office global opportunities fund, recently gave a substantial contribution to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to help fund a Middle East regional security seminar in Yemen specifically addressing the issue of piracy. We hope to do the same for future seminars in South-East Asia.
	In addition, we plan to use senior official and ministerial visits to the region to raise the issue, and to work with the IMO and other international organisations and states to encourage a more co-ordinated effort to combat the problem. The DfT is also in discussions with the IMO regarding the provision of a substantial donation of funds over the coming year to combat piracy and other related security issues in a number of countries, which include countries of concern in South-East Asia.

Gaza: Israeli Withdrawal

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, what contribution they are making to improve export facilities for Palestinian farmers and exporters in Gaza.

Lord Triesman: We are working with the parties and the international community, under the Quartet's leadership, to ensure that Israeli disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank is as successful and complete as possible.
	To this end we fully support the appointment of former World Bank president James Wolfensohn as the Quartet special envoy for disengagement. As the Quartet statement of 9 May made clear, Mr Wolfensohn's office will focus on the non-security aspects of withdrawal "particularly disposition of assets; passages, access and trade; and revival of the Palestinian economy during and after Israeli withdrawal". We will continue to offer our full support to the parties and to Mr Wolfensohn's work.

Postal Voting

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider holding a review of the fees paid to local authorities for the administration of elections in view of large increases in the numbers of electors applying for postal votes.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The amounts recoverable by returning officers from the Consolidated Fund for the administration of general and European parliamentary elections are reviewed before each election. They are set out in a statutory instrument, the most recent of which is the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers' Charges) Order 2005 (SI 2005 No. 780). That contains provision for a pro rata payment of £60 for every 100 postal votes issued, to cover the staffing costs involved in the preparation, issue and receipt of postal votes. The actual costs of printing and postage are also recoverable. These rates were discussed and agreed by representatives of returning officers before the order was made.

Postal Voting

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider extending the timetable for receipt of applications for postal and proxy votes and for their despatch to provide more time for security checks to take place, and for the administration of postal votes to be better carried out, in view of large increases in the numbers of electors applying for them.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government published a policy paper for discussion on electoral administration on 25 May 2005. This covers a range of proposals for improving the electoral process and enhancing the security of postal voting for inclusion in the electoral administration Bill. Included in this paper is the proposal to extend the time for electoral administrators to deal with postal vote applications. We are looking at the situation with regard to proxy votes.

Postal Voting

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the extra costs to local authorities of administering the elections on 5 May caused by large increase in the numbers of electors applying for postal votes.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The costs of postal voting at the general election are met from the Consolidated Fund. We estimate that the total cost of postal voting as the general election on 5 May is around £9 million. The costs of postal voting at local elections are met from local authority funds and these data are not collected centrally.

Parliamentary Elections: Declaration Errors

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the procedures for correcting election results when the figures are wrongly announced at the count even though the correct candidate is declared elected.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The returning officer can correct orally any error in the figures given for a candidate while the results are being declared. Following the declaration of the result, the returning officer is required to publish a notice showing the total number of votes received by each candidate, which can be used to put right such an error made at the declaration.

Council of Europe: Efficiency of Justice

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the Council of Europe study on the Efficiency of Justice.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government welcome this report. The report follows from the conclusions of the conference of European Ministers of Justice hosted by the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, in 2000.

Criminal Legal Aid

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether their policies on criminal legal aid take account of the financial situation of many small solicitors' firms, especially those which continue to act as duty solicitors for persons arrested by the police.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government are committed to maintaining the national provision of publicly funded criminal defence services. In some parts of the country, where volumes of criminal defence work are not high, the provision of these services currently relies on small solicitors' firms. The Government will continue to take account of these firms in developing their policies on criminal legal aid.

Sewage: River Thames

Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With regard to raw sewage discharges into the Thames, whether the condition of water in the Thames breaches the European Union Urban Waste Water Directive; and
	Whether an interceptor tunnel is the best long-term solution to the Thames' water condition; and whether they will take steps to ensure its installation.

Lord Bach: The objective of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive is to protect the environment from the adverse effects of waste water discharges. The directive does not however set specific standards for the condition of rivers and coastal waters into which waste water is discharged. Rather, it includes requirements to put in place sewage collecting systems, and sets standards for the treatment of sewage at sewerage treatment works. Standards and deadlines are set according to the size of the population served and the sensitivity of waters receiving the discharges.
	The collecting systems serving the urban communities along the Thames are largely combined systems that collect both domestic and industrial waste water, and rainwater run-off. The collecting systems along the Thames have combined sewer overflows which operate to prevent flooding and sewage treatment works becoming overloaded during wet weather.
	The pollution of the tidal Thames by storm water overflows and compliance with the directive's standards for continuous discharges is of considerable concern to this Administration. We therefore established the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Group in 2000. We consider that the proposal arising from the interim report of the group for a large 35 kilometre interceptor tunnel needs further investigation—it would take about 15 years to implement and cost in the order of £1.7 billion.
	My officials and the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Steering Group are carrying out further consideration of the issues and possible appropriate smaller-scale measures which may be able to deliver needed improvements sooner than could be delivered by the proposed tunnel. The report of the further findings and options presented, which is expected soon, will be carefully considered by Ministers and a decision will be taken on an appropriate course of action to meet our obligations to protect the environment in a cost-effective way.
	Our contribution in determining the level of investment by Thames Water in 2005–10 will result in significant improvements to the treatment provided during wet weather at Beckton, Crossness and Mogden, and reduce the frequency, amount and pollution of storm water discharges at these works that have been a problem in recent years.

Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the outcome of the inquiry into the suspension of Dr Keith Baverstock from membership of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

Lord Bach: Dr Baverstock's appointment to the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management was terminated on 19 April 2005 in line with the outcome of the independent inquiry into his position on the committee.

Single Farm Payment Scheme: Motor Sports

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Single Farm Payment Scheme will have any effect on the number of sites that can be used for legal off-road motoring events; and
	Under the Single Farm Payment Scheme, what will be the effect of motor sport not being an "allowed activity".

Lord Bach: Land used in support of claims for payment under the 2005 single payment scheme (SPS) must be at claimants' disposal for the 10-month period nominated on their claim forms. Under recently updated guidance issued by the department, motor sports may take place on up to 28 days during the nominated 10-month period, in addition to all of the remaining two months. of the year. It remains the case that all claims for payment are subject to observance of set cross-compliance conditions, which apply for the whole calendar year. The updated guidance takes on board representations made by motor sports interests and, overall, we would expect the impact of the SPS on the availability of farmland used for such sports to be limited.

Scrapie

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the report in Farmers Weekly on 23 March, on what authority the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the devolved administrations are now permitted to apply movement restrictions to sheep and goats on farms when a case of scrapie is suspected rather than when it is confirmed.

Lord Bach: Commission Regulation 1492/2004 amending Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council obliges the UK and other member states in cases where scrapie is suspected in an ovine or caprine animal at a holding, to place all other ovine and caprine animals from that holding under official movement restriction pending confirmation or otherwise of the suspect case. Powers in the TSE (England) Regulations 2002, as amended—in particular, Regulation 80—are relied on to apply these measures. Devolved administrations rely on similar statutory powers.

Defra: Domestic Horticulture

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables and salads incorporated on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stand at the 2005 Chelsea Flower Show were United Kingdom grown.

Lord Bach: Defra did not have a stand at this year's Chelsea Flower Show but it helped to sponsor the exhibit of the Eden Project and the Institute of Horticulture, which estimates that about three-quarters of the produce displayed there was grown in the UK.

Horse Manure

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many cases of pollution from horse manure have been reported over the past three years.

Lord Bach: Analysis of the Environment Agency's national enforcement database shows that there has been one pollution incident directly attributable to horse manure in the past three years.
	Contrary to some press coverage, the recent changes made in the Waste Management Licensing (England and Wales) (Amendment and Related Provisions) Regulations 2005 apply only to the compositing of waste. The regulations do not apply to the storage of manure. All individuals and most liveries, stables and other establishments that keep horses will not be subject to the recent changes. No one is required to apply for a waste management licence or to register a licence exemption simply to store manure on the site where it was produced.

Oil Storage Tanks

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have records of the number of installations of oil storage tanks for (a) domestic use, and (b) commercial use, in the United Kingdom.

Lord Bach: This information is not collected centrally, but the latest available figures indicate that there are approximately 1 million oil storage tanks for domestic use (a) (source: ODPM Building Regulations, Regulatory Impact Assessment: October 2001, Section 3, Part J, "Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems") and more than 580, 000 tanks for commercial use (b). (The figures for commercial use in England, Scotland and Wales relate to 1998 and were included in the regulatory impact assessments on the oil storage regulations).

Oil Storage Tanks

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Health and Safety Executive has records of pollution incidents caused by leaking, as opposed to spilling, from (a) non-domestic heating oil storage tanks, and (b) domestic heating oil storage tanks, over the past five years.

Lord Bach: The following table produced by the Environment Agency shows incidents of pollution to water by oils and fuels by premises type in England and Wales for 2001–04. It is not possible to provide this breakdown for 2000 and before, and "leakage" and "spillage" incidents are not recorded separately. However, overall figures for all oil pollution incidents (including category 4) are available for earlier years and show a significant decline in the five-year period 2000–04 from 6,215 to 4,306.
	Incidents in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 where pollutant is oils and fuels by premise type.
	
		Incidents that had an impact on water (either Category 1, 2 or 3):
		
			 Premises Type Total Incidents 2001 Total Incidents 2002 Total Incidents 2003 Total Incidents 2004 
			 Agriculture 81 141 107 103 
			 Domestic and Residential 184 311 231 225 
			 Manufacturing 125 180 138 142 
			 Other Source 104 136 120 107 
			 Power Generation and Supply 18 35 21 22 
			 Premises Type not identified 48 53 30 21 
			 Public Administration 15 21 24 32 
			 Retail Sector 78 88 80 76 
			 Service Sector 107 170 123 107 
			 Transport 343 467 371 298 
			 Waste Management 18 43 38 52 
			 Water Industry 36 49 63 58 
			 Total 1,157 1,694 1,346 1,243 
		
	
	
		Category 1 incidents to Water
		
			 Premises Type Total Incidents 2001 Total Incidents 2002 Total Incidents 2003 Total Incidents 2004 
			 Agriculture 0 2 0 0 
			 Domestic and Residential 0 2 3 1 
			 Manufacturing 0 1 4 6 
			 Other Source 0 1 0 1 
			 Power Generation and Supply 0 0 1 0 
			 Not identified 1 0 0 0 
			 Public Administration 0 1 0 0 
			 Retail sector 2 0 2 1 
			 Service Sector 0 4 1 0 
			 Transport 0 2 3 3 
			 Waste Management 1 0 0 0 
			 Water Industry 0 1 4 2 
			 Total 4 14 18 14 
		
	
	
		Category 2 incidents to Water
		
			 Premises Type Total Incidents 2001 Total Incidents 2002 Total Incidents 2003 Total Incidents 2004 
			 Agriculture 9 9 8 11 
			 Domestic and Residential 15 9 11 10 
			 Manufacturing 12 14 7 22 
			 Other Source 5 10 6 5 
			 Power Generation and Supply 0 2 1 4 
			 Not identified 2 0 0 1 
			 Public Administration 4 2 6 2 
			 Retail Sector 9 3 7 5 
			 Service Sector 11 19 13 12 
			 Transport 18 16 16 13 
			 Waste Management 0 4 3 4 
			 Water Industry 0 5 2 3 
			 Total 85 93 80 92 
			 Number of incidents where premises not known 1,489 1,879 
			 Cat 1 =5, Cat 2 =40 1,743 
			 Cat 1 = 3, 
			 Cat 2 = 41 1,589 
			 Cat 1 = 4 
			 Cat 2 = 28 
		
	
	Key
	Category 1—the most severe
	Category 2—significant, but less severe
	Category 3—relatively minor
	Category 4—no impact on the water environment

Defence: Anglo-French Co-operation

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied with Anglo-French co-operation on defence matters; and whether the St Malo agreement will meet future needs.

Lord Drayson: The United Kingdom and France co-operate closely as leading nations in both NATO and the EU, including within the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), and not least in the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and the Balkans. We maintain strong bilateral defence ties through exchange and liaison programmes, exercises, and interoperability initiatives, and are also partners in various procurement projects. The Government are satisfied with this very important relationship.
	The 1998 St Malo text declared the intentions of the UK and French heads of state to unite in their efforts to enable the European Union to play a full role on the international stage. It concentrates particularly on what is now known as ESDP, while recognising the need to respect countries' different situations in relation to NATO.
	Since 1998 ESDP has developed very considerably, with the UK and France collaborating closely throughout. For example, the UK and France jointly proposed the Battlegroups initiative at their summit in November 2003 and have each made a national Battlegroup available on standby for the first six months of initial operating capability (January to June 2005). The December 2004 Council agreement on planning capabilities was based on a UK-France-Germany proposal.
	The Government are satisfied that the St Malo declaration and subsequent Anglo-French declarations provide a sound basis for Anglo-French co-operation in leading the development of ESDP with appropriate regard to NATO commitments.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How Unionist input into decisions of North/ South implementation bodies is achieved.

Lord Rooker: As the noble Lord is aware, all the North/South implementation bodies presently operate on a care and maintenance basis. This precludes the development of any policies or activities beyond those already agreed by the North/South Ministerial Council, which did of course include Unionist representation.

Northern Ireland: Victims and Survivors Forum

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress they have made in setting up a Northern Ireland forum for victims and survivors of the Troubles, as envisaged in the document Continued Implementation of the Agreement, published on 1 May 2003.

Lord Rooker: In his Written Statement on 1 March 2005 (Official Report, Commons, col. 82WS), the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced the Government's intention to put in place a new Victims and Survivors Commissioner. In his Statement he also announced the publication of a consultation paper on the future of services for victims and survivors, including initial proposals for the commissioner's detailed remit. One of the proposed responsibilities of the commissioner is to take forward the Victims and Survivors Forum envisaged in the Joint Declaration. The consultation period closes on 30 June 2005.

Northern Ireland: Vacant School Properties

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What vacant school properties each of the education and library boards in Northern Ireland were aware of in the first half of 2004.

Lord Rooker: During the period in question there were 17 vacant school properties which the five education and library boards (ELBs) were aware of and these are listed as follows:
	
		
			  ELB Property 
			 1 Belfast Forth River Primary School 
			 2 South Eastern Killyleagh High School 
			   Carricknaveagh Primary School, Saintfield 
			   Ardglass Primary School 
			   Magheraknock Primary School 
			   Scrabo High School, Newtownards 
			 3 Western Hutton Primary School 
			   Dervaghroy Primary School 
			   Sixmilecross Primary School 
			   Earl of Erne Primary School 
			   Templemore High School 
			 4 Southern Old Technical College, Portadown 
			 5 North-Eastern Ballypriormore Primary School 
			   Gracehill Primary School 
			   Mosside Primary School 
			   Tullygrawley Primary School 
			   Upper Buckna Primary School

Northern Ireland: Decaux

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Office has any contracts with the poster company Decaux; if so, how much it spent with that company in each of the past five years; and whether any such contracts will be reviewed.

Lord Rooker: The Northern Ireland Office has had no contracts with the poster company Decaux in each of the past five years.

North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the projected cost for the North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat for 2006; and how this cost compares with 2005.

Lord Rooker: The budget for the Northern Ireland side of the North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat for the financial year 2005–06 is £672,000. It is anticipated that actual expenditure will be less than this amount. The budget for 2004–05 was also £672,000 which was reduced to £602,000 through in-year easements. Accounts for 2004–05 have not yet been finalised.

North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat spent on travel and entertainment in each year since 2000.

Lord Rooker: Details of expenditure by the North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat (North) on travel and entertainment are provided in the table below.
	
		£
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
			 Travel Nil 21,990 19,572 13,998 13,147 
			 Entertainment* Nil 2,423 3,443 2,240 851 
			 Total Nil 24,413 23,015 16,238 13,998 
		
	
	* Entertainment costs do not include routine refreshments provided in connection with meetings.

Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord President on 7 February (WA 77), 24 March (WA 49) and 7 April (WA 135) and the resultant correspondence from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, whether they will now place in the Library of the House copies of the Police Ombudsman's letter to the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chancellor's reply and the Police Ombudsman's letter to the Lord Maginnis of Drumglass.

Lord Rooker: The Police Ombudsman has advised that under Section 63 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, (restriction on the disclosure of information) she does not believe it appropriate to disclose copies of the correspondence between her office and the Lord Chancellor. A copy of the ombudsman's letter to the noble Lord has been placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in each of the Northern Ireland health trusts in each year from 2000–01 to 2004–05.

Lord Rooker: Information on the number of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder is not available.

Northern Ireland: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many children who have been referred for suspected autism spectrum disorder assessment during each year from 2000–01 to 2004–05 are still awaiting assessment in each of the Northern Ireland health trusts.

Lord Rooker: Information on the number of children referred for suspected autistic spectrum disorder assessment and the current waiting times for assessment are not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current strength of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: As of 25 May 2005 the strength of the Police Service of Northern Ireland was:
	
		
			  Establishment Actual 
			 Regular PSNI 7,500 7,503 
			 Full-time Reserve 870 1,240 
			 Part-time Reserve 2,500 927

Northern Ireland: Strangford Lough

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action has been taken by the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland or any other agency against those who ploughed up a bird sanctuary in Strangford Lough in December and January.

Lord Rooker: The Department of the Environment has investigated damage caused by ploughing during the period 27 December 2004 to 3 January 2005 to an area of special scientific interest at Strangford Lough. The findings of this investigation have been referred to the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of prosecution action and a case has now been listed for hearing by the courts on 13 June 2005.

Northern Ireland: Stormont Estate

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have plans to sell the Stormont estate.

Lord Rooker: There are no plans to sell the Stormont estate. The feasibility of including some government office buildings at the south-eastern corner of the estate in a strategic development plan for the wider Northern Ireland Civil Service estate is currently being considered. Parliament buildings, Stormont Castle, Stormont House and the surrounding parkland are specifically excluded from the proposals.

Northern Ireland: Irish Hares

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to provide permanent protection for Irish hares in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The current review of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 will consider the level of protection for the Irish hare. Following the 2004 survey of the Irish hare population in Northern Ireland, which indicated a significant increase in numbers, a further survey in 2005 has been commissioned. Once the results are known the Department of the Environment will be finalising its proposals for amending the Wildlife Order as a basis for a public consultation exercise. Any decision to change the level of protection for the Irish hare under the Wildlife Order will be based on a consideration of the conservation case and the associated scientific evidence. The public consultation exercise will offer all stakeholders with the opportunity to provide their views on this issue.

Dermatological Appointments

Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are taking action to reduce the waiting times for consulting dermatologist appointments; and, if so, what is that action. [HL166.]
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The maximum waiting time for any first out-patient following general practitioner referral has been reduced to 17 weeks and will continue to fall to a maximum of 13 weeks by the end of 2005. By 2008 the maximum wait from referral to start of treatment—including out-patient appointments and any diagnostic tests—will be just 18 weeks. For dermatology currently the median time waited to be seen by a consultant is a little over seven weeks.

Television Advertising: Online Poker

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the present television advertising campaigns for online poker games are legal.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Television advertising of most gambling products is prohibited by the advertising code, which is administered by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on behalf of Ofcom. The ASA is not aware of any such advertising taking place.
	However, although under current legislation online poker sites may not themselves be provided from this country, gambling companies, including those online poker sites, are permitted to sponsor television programmes. This sponsorship is subject to rules enforced by Ofcom, whose new broadcasting code will come into effect on 25 July 2005. Ofcom has a range of sanctions available if these rules are breached by broadcasters.
	When the Gambling Act 2005 comes into force it will extend the definition of advertising, in relation to gambling, to include sponsorship. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport may make regulations about the form, content, timing and location of non-broadcast advertisements for gambling, while Ofcom will continue to be responsible for setting standards for the broadcast advertising of gambling.
	There will also be a new offence of advertising foreign gambling. Foreign gambling means gambling which takes place outside the European economic area, or, if organised by remote means, is not subject to any regulation by an EEA state. The Secretary of State may specify additional, non-EEA, states which will be exempt from the foreign gambling offence.
	Domestic and overseas gambling operators will need to ensure that any advertising of their products complies with this new regime, once it is in force.

Road Traffic Accidents

Lord Brougham and Vaux: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to collect data indicating the percentage of people killed or injured in road traffic accidents involving passenger vehicles in the United Kingdom that were not taxed, not insured or not in possession of a valid MOT certificate.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Information on road accidents involving personal injury is collected by the police and reported to the department in a standard format for statistical purposes. Details of whether vehicles involved were taxed, insured or in possession of a valid MOT certificate are not part of the information collected.
	The department is investigating the possibility of establishing whether vehicles involved in accidents had a current vehicle excise duty licence at the time of the accident by referring to administrative records held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
	The feasibility of linking accident data to the MOT data on HGVs and PSVs is being explored. If successful then it may also be possible to identify the MOT status of private vehicles involved in accidents following MOT computerisation.
	Insurance details of drivers or riders involved in injury accidents do not form part of the statistical information exercise and there are no plans to include this.

Business Appointment Rules

Lord Carlisle of Bucklow: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to receive Sir Patrick Brown's report of his review of the business appointment rules, which was announced by the Prime Minister in July 2004; and whether they will publish the report; and
	What plans they have for any amendment of the business appointment rules; and
	What plans they have for the future work of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government have received Sir Patrick Brown's report of his review of the business appointment rules. The Government will publish the report once they have considered the findings. The Government will announce at that time how they intend to take forward the recommendations.

Prime Minister: Downing Street Gymnasium

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) when the Prime Minister's gymnasium was built at No. 10 Downing Street;
	(b) what was the cost of the building works;
	(c) what was the cost of the equipment installed;
	(d) what is the floor area involved;
	(e) what was the total cost of the project; and
	(f) what was the former use of the space now used as the Prime Minister's gymnasium.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: A gymnasium has not been purchased at public expense for the Prime Minister. The use of the Prime Minister's flat is a private matter.